3 Popular Types of Liposuction: How To Choose the Most Suitable Procedure

An estimated 300,000 people undergo liposuction each year in the United States, making this the most popular type of body contouring procedure available. It’s also one of the most common cosmetic procedures overall. Its effectiveness at eliminating unwanted fat and shaping the body are the reasons so many people are interested in this procedure.  

Looking at the Three Most Common Liposuction Procedures

Several types of liposuction are available from the top plastic surgeons utah has to offer. Each one has unique traits, benefits, and disadvantages. Take a look at the three most common versions of liposuction and what sets each one apart. This information will help you learn more about the options available to you and which one might best meet your needs and expectations.

Traditional Liposuction

Traditional liposuction is the oldest of the fat removal and body contouring procedures. It remains one of the most popular as well. This method involves using a thin tube known as a cannula to vacuum unwanted fat out of the body. In this procedure, small incisions are made in the areas where fat needs to be removed. From there, the plastic surgeon inserts the cannula into those incisions and moves it back and forth to break up and remove fat deposits.

This is a time-tested technique that has proven effective. It can target various areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, hips, upper arms, and back. That being said, it requires a longer recovery time than some other types of liposuction. Patients may experience more bruising and swelling after this procedure as well.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

Laser-assisted liposuction is one of the more recently developed alternatives to the conventional technique. During this procedure, cosmetic surgeons expose unwanted fat deposits to a laser. Two versions of laser-assisted liposuction are currently in use: minimally invasive and non-invasive.

With minimally invasive LAL, a cosmetic surgeon uses lasers to liquefy fat deposits. Then, he or she removes fat from the treated areas using a cannula inserted in tiny incisions. Non-invasive LAL doesn’t require incisions. In this procedure, cosmetic surgeons send lasers through the skin. They damage fat cells in the treated areas, and the body simply absorbs those cells.

Laser-assisted liposuction leaves behind less bruising and swelling than the traditional procedure. That means people may recover from it faster. At the same time, the lasers used in the procedure can provide skin-tightening effects in addition to fat removal. On the downside, LAL isn’t suitable for removing larger fat deposits.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is also an option. This procedure uses ultrasound to liquefy fat cells. It requires incisions and the use of a cannula for removing fat cells, but the cannulas used are only between 3 and 4 millimeters in diameter. As such, this procedure requires smaller incisions than other types of liposuction.

UAL allows cosmetic surgeons to target fat deposits more precisely, and it causes minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Patients experience less bleeding because of the smaller incisions and less significant tissue trauma. In some cases, UAL can be used to remove larger volumes of fat than LAL. On the other hand, the procedure takes longer than some of its alternatives.

Choosing the Right Liposuction Technique

Traditional liposuction is a time-tested solution for removing unwanted fat. It’s suitable for various areas of the body, and it can remove large fat deposits, but it causes more tissue trauma and comes with longer recovery times. Laser-assisted liposuction is less invasive, but it’s not suitable for larger fat deposits. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction allows for better targeting, but it takes longer than other options. Both UAL and LAL can provide skin-tightening effects in addition to fat removal.

Consider how much fat you need to have removed and where those deposits are. Think about whether you need skin tightening along with fat removal. Keep recovery times and potential risks in mind as well. Above all else, only work with highly qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeons to ensure optimal results and reduce the risks involved.